Three Takeaways From Vikings Terrible Loss Against Chicago
Any glimmer of hope in Minnesota that this year's Vikings team could make things interesting is seemingly gone. It shouldn't be a surprise. They're going out there without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and all-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The team is coming off their second straight loss. The latest is a 12-10 snoozefest against the Chicago Bears.
So what can we take away from a strange Monday Night Football showing? Here are three points to consider as the Vikings head into the bye week.
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Continuing To Lose The Turnover Battle
For the seventh time this season, the Minnesota Vikings turned over the football two or more times. Quarterback Josh Dobbs threw four interceptions, while the team also turned the ball over twice on two failed fourth down attempts.
It's not like Chicago's offense was perfect. Justin Fields coughed it up twice, both of which were recovered by the Vikings' defense. One by Sheldon Day and the other by Anthony Barr.
You won't win many football games when you gift the opposing team with terrific field position, and the Vikings did that on Monday night.
Offense Sputters
I've been waiting to see when the Josh Dobbs magic would run out, and I think we're at that point now, as the Vikings enter a much-needed bye week.
The offense ran 51 total plays to Chicago's 68. The Bears also out-gained Minnesota by 75 yards overall, including 45 more rushing yards than the Vikings.
The first half was difficult to watch. Minnesota's offense went punt, interception, interception, punt, then ended the second quarter with a 34-yard Greg Joseph field goal. If it weren't for a fourth-quarter T.J. Hockenson touchdown, this game would've looked worse in the box score and on the scoreboard.
Kevin O'Connell mentioned post-game that the team will evaluate the starting quarterback position, stating that rookie Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens are both ready and available.
Can't Blame The Vikings Defense
Your team should win anytime the defense is able to hold the opposing squad to 12 points. Despite a solid performance from the Vikings' defense, that wasn't the case.
Ivan Pace Jr. continues to impress in his rookie campaign. He recorded nine total tackles, one sack, a tackle for loss and one quarterback hit. Meanwhile, Danielle Hunter was fantastic again, making six solo tackles, one and a half sacks, two tackles for loss and three QB hits.
The defense combined for three sacks against Justin Fields for a loss of 18 yards. As mentioned earlier, Sheldon Day and Anthony Barr each recovered a Fields' fumble.
I'm sure a few fans will blame the defense for this loss. They did give up the game-winning field goal after all. But they shouldn't. The unit continually gave the offense an opportunity to take over the game, and they couldn't.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota is heading into their bye week. It'll be a chance to get healthy and prepare for a week 14 matchup in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
If Dobbs is going to keep throwing the ball to the other team, I would like to see O'Connell put Jaren Hall back in as the starter. Hall looked OK in his first career start against the Falcons earlier this year, before leaving with a concussion.
Dobbs isn't the future, and that shouldn't be a shock. Start the rookie the rest of the way and see what you've got.
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